A re-examination of the metaverse from the perspective of Sartrean existentialism

With breakthroughs in neural interfaces and holographic interaction technologies, the metaverse is evolving from a science fiction concept into a revolutionary domain that redefines human existence. This paper, grounded in Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist philosophy, mainly focuses on the virtual-physical symbiotic metaverse at its technological maturity stage, reveals the limits of freedom and the dilemmas of responsibility within the new dimensions of digital existence. By systematically examining the validity of the three principles of existentialism (existence precedes essence, man is the sum of his actions, and freedom is responsibility) in the context of the metaverse, the study finds that while sensory simulation and digital avatars break free from physical constraints, they fall into new forms of alienation characterized by the boundaries of imagination, algorithmic manipulation, and fragmented identity. The irresponsible revelry in single-player mode is actually an escape from ontological responsibility, and its behavioral patterns will eventually backfire on real-world personalities; the illusion of digital immortality fundamentally undermines the authentic value of living toward death. It proposes an existential scheme for virtual-physical symbiosis, emphasizing that individuals must adhere to three principles within the technological framework: establishing the uniqueness of the conscious subject, acknowledging the constitutive responsibility of virtual actions, and resisting algorithmic alienation through active choice. This study provides an existentialist philosophical framework for examining metaverse ethics, revealing the crisis of subjectivity underlying the utopian faade of technology, and offers cautionary value for building a responsible digital civilization.